How self-help groups became a lifeline for women in South Rajasthan

By Bharat Dogra

In the dusty lanes of Suveri village, nestled in the southern Rajasthan district of Udaipur, the past wasn't so long ago a story of quiet desperation. "Whenever we faced a family emergency, we had to borrow from private moneylenders," recalls Kamla, her gaze steady. "The interest rates were so high that it became impossible to escape the debt. Sometimes, the borrower even ended up losing their land." It was a cycle of dependency that trapped families for generations, a story whispered in households across the region.

Today, that narrative has been rewritten. Kamla and her neighbour, Soora, are at the heart of a profound transformation, one that seamlessly blends the pursuit of justice, the dignity of peace, and the promise of development. The catalyst? Small, women-led groups that started with the simple act of saving money together.

"Now, we can meet our emergency needs from our own savings," Kamla says, her pride evident. The Self-Help Groups (SHGs), initially fostered by the voluntary organization Seva Mandir (SM), have done more than create a financial safety net. They have become a springboard for ambition. "We can tap into our savings to improve our farming, find a new irrigation source, or start small cottage enterprises. It's a modest but independent source of income for us and our households."

For women like Kamla and Soora, the deepest pride comes not just from their own economic independence, but from the futures they are building for their daughters. Kamla used the group's savings to fund her two daughters' nursing training, while Soora supported her daughter's education to become a teacher. In a region where a girl's education was once a secondary concern, these are quiet acts of revolutionary change.

This economic awakening, however, was just the first thread. The solidarity forged in SHGs gave women the collective strength to address deeper, more personal injustices. Around 2015, this strength found a formal home with the establishment of a Women’s Resource Center (WRC) in the area, one of several opened by Seva Mandir. The Center became a hub for conflict resolution and a bulwark against violence. Cases of domestic disputes or injustice are brought forward, often with a modest fee, and addressed through mediation. "Many disputes are resolved in just one or two hearings," Kamla explains, describing a process where women are no longer silent sufferers but active participants in seeking justice. In more complex cases, the Center provides a pathway to higher levels of mediation, ensuring no woman has to face her struggle alone.

The WRC’s influence extends into the often-murky waters of government bureaucracy. For women in remote villages, accessing schemes for pensions, healthcare, or other benefits can be a Herculean task, thwarted by a single missing or incorrectly updated document. The Center’s members act as guides and advocates, helping women navigate the system. Crucially, this help is taken directly to the source. While two members manage the center, two others are always on the move, visiting villages to ensure that help is accessible to everyone, right at their doorstep.

The broader vision is one of prevention, not just cure. Through sustained efforts to raise social consciousness, the very fabric of village life is being rewoven. Women report that the incidence of domestic violence and overt injustice has reduced significantly over the last two decades. However, they are the first to acknowledge that new challenges are emerging. "Complex social problems, influenced by social media or other modern pressures, are creating new forms of distress and uncertainty," the women note, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and early, proactive intervention.

This region of South Rajasthan has become a canvas for creative and promising development, with Seva Mandir and its partners planting the seeds. The growing unity and assertiveness of women have made them indispensable contributors to these efforts. In projects like pasture regeneration, for instance, women are not just the primary beneficiaries—as the ones who traditionally manage livestock—but also the driving force behind their success.

The journey of Kamla, Soora, and countless others is more than a story of empowerment. It is a testament to the power of collective action, demonstrating that when women combine their efforts, they don't just save money. They save their families, strengthen their communities, and cultivate a future where justice, peace, and development grow from the same, carefully nurtured soil.

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*The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children, When the Two Streams Met, Navjeevan, and A Day in 2071